Flow control for flow boxes of paper-making machines



E. E. BERRY Se t. 10, 1929.

FLOW CONTROL FOR FLOW BOXES OF PAPER IAKING CRIMES Filed July 19. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P 1929- E. E. BERRY 1,727,928

FLOW CONTROL ron now BOXES 01" Ursa MAKING IACHINBS Filed July 19. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a? as .Ey' .2. 1 as Patented Sept. 10, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL E. BERRY, OF BELOI'I, WISCONSIN, AS SIGNOR TO BELOIT IRON WORKS, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCON SIN FLOW CONTROL FOR FLOW BOXES OF PAPER-MAKING MACHINES.

Application filed July 19,

This invention relates in general to the flow box of a paper making machine such as a F ourdrinier machine, and has more particular reference to the provision of means for controlling and regulating the flow of stock onto the wire with the view to securin a predetermined depth, mix ture, and irection of flow of the stock.

One of the common troubles heretofore experienced in the operation of flow boxes was the formation of lumps in the stock which when carried onto the wire and between the rolls are crushed due to their extra thickness, with the result that this crushed spot breaks away from the rest of the paper, often breaking the sheet at this point or causing it to break as it passes through the machine. These lumps are caused in many ways, by accumulations of the stock fibres, and one of the primary purposes of the present invention is to provide a flow box having means for preventing the formation of such lumps and for insuring a uniform mixture of stock through the discharge orifice. This is accomplished in part by the construction andarrangement of the baffles in the flow box and especially by the provision of an intercepting wall or baflle adjacent to the discharge end arranged so as to cause the stock to flow through the uppermost strata just before its passage downwardly to the discharge orifice, thereby avoiding dead spaces and eliminating the possibility of a quiescent condition in this re ion and preventing the accumulation of fi obtained in part by the use of one or more rotating mixers arranged in a particularly advantageous manner, as will be described more fully hereinafter.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved slice characterized by a flexible and adjustable lip, preferably of rubber, for regulating the depth of the stream flowing onto the wire, this lip being adjustable at spaced oints throughout its length for varying t e depth of the discharge orifice. and, therefore, to let out more or less stock at determined pointsor'areas that may be required by reason of peculiarires into lumps. This is also 1926. Serial No. 123,293.

ties in different machines and in order to insure uniformity in production of the sheet. Other features characterizing the construction and mounting of the flexible l p will be described hereinafter.

Still another object resides in the novel organization of a flexible and adjustable lip, preferably arranged so as to provide with the apron a discharge orifice, a rotating mixer located in the flow box in close prox imity to the entrance of the stock to said orifice, and the location of a series of rectifying plates intermediate the mixer and the discharge orifice. These devices function and co-operate, as will be explained 6 more fully hereinafter, to thoroughly mix the stock and guide or direct its flow to said orifice so that there will be no lumps, cross currents, or streaks, and to regulate the depth of the stream at all points along the discharge orifice so that the condition and depth of the flow of stock is positively and accurately determined, all of which make for a uniform product. This unitary result is obtained, therefore, by the provision of means so related and co-acting as to produce a determined depth, mixture, and direction of flow of the stock leaving the flow box.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those skilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the 'following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section through a flow box embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation looking at the delivery or slice end thereof; 1

I Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, horizontal section taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical sections taken substantially on the lines 4'4 and 5-5 of o far as certain flphases of my invention are concerned, the ow box may be of any suitable or preferred construction. As shown, the box comprises side walls 6, front and back walls 7 and 8 respectively, an apron 9, and a series of bafiles 11, 12, 13, and 14. In this, the preferredembodiment, the walls of the flow box and the bafiles are inchned upwardly and forwardly toward the delivery end, providing circuitous up and p down flow passages, the walls15 if which at the bottom turns are curved so as to eli m1,-

nate dead corners or spaces. The flow box is equlpped at the delivery end with an adj ustable slice 16*which, as described later, is equlppedat its lower end with an improved flexible lip 17. This lip, together with the apron 9, defines a discharge orifice 18 through which the stock flows onto a wire screen 19, herein shown diagrammatically. The wire travels around the breast roll 21 and is shown supported in part by a table roll 22.

- The stock enters the flow box at the inlet end at any point in the down flow passage 23 and follows the circuitous path defined by the bafiies and indicated by the arrows until the last bafile 14 is reached. It will be here noted that this baflie constitutes an intercepting wall in the sense that it is the last stationary wall intercepting the flow before it reaches the discharge orifice. This wall preferably comprises a stationary part 24 and a part 25 vertically adjustable thereon. It will be further noted that this interceptin wall is spaced inwardly from the slice p ate such distance as to provide a passage leading downwardlyto the discharge orifice, in vwhich passage is disposed one or more mixers which will be described later. It will also be noted that the rear face of this wall is inclined upwardly and forwardly so as to eliminate dead space in which the stock might remain in a quiescent condition which is conducive to accumulation of the fibres and consequently the formation of lumps. The part 25 of the intercepting wall may be vertically adjusted on thestationary part to vary the depth of the flow throughthe upper strata indicated by the dimension 26, any suitable means being provided for effecting such adjustment. and holding the part'25 in the adjusted position, such for example, as clamping bolts 27 or any mechanical expedient for this purpose. A plate 28 covers the opening between the stationary and adjustable parts of the intercepting wall to prevent accumulation of the stock therein. By reason of this construction, the stock is compelled to flow to the uppermost strata inthe flow box and the flow is thence diverted downwardly through the passage defined by the slice 16 and the last bafile or interoeptmg wall. .This insures against a quiescent condition of the stock in the region contiguous to the slice. B reason of theactive condition of the stoc in this region, I have overcome a fault common to prior flow boxes in which there was a tendency for the fibres to accumulate in the upper quiescent stratas and to graduall settle down to be subsequently picked up y the flow and carried onto the wire.

The slice proper may be of any suitable or referred construction, at present the plate 16 being fitted it ts ends against the side 6 of the flow box and guided between front and rear a-ngleplates29 so as to be capable of bodily vertical adjustment. This adjustment is effected in the present instance by screws 31 mounted for, rotation in the extended ends of a top angle bar'32 and each threadedly connected with an angle bracket 33 fixed to the adjacent side wall 6. The slice plate is equipped at its lower end with the flexible lip 17 above mentioned, preferably a strip of rubber having parallel front and back surfaces 34 and 35 respectively and .upon and with respect to the slice plate.

The lip body is adjustably connected at spaced points throughout its length to the slice plate by a series of screw connections preferably arranged inalternation with the guide plates 37. The screw connections shown each comprise a screw rod 38 mounted for rotation on the angle bracket 32 and threadedly engaged at its lower end in a coupling part 39 which carries a stud 41 fitting into the lip body, as shown in Fig. 4, the screw rods 38 being guided at their lower ends by an angle bar 40 attached to the shoe plate. The lip body is, therefore, supported directly by and upon the studs 41 and 1s confined between the slice plate proper and the guide plates 37 with capacity for vertlcal adjustment at points throughout its length by adjustment of the screw rods 38 through manipulation of the hand wheels .42 thereon. This enables extremely accurate regulation of the discharge orifice and permits setting of thelip to vary the depth of the stream at different points or areas. In practice such varying depth adjustment is desirable to insure a depth of flow which must be determined in each instance and which is generally culiar to the particular machine or to conditions which vary in different machines and with the nature and condition of the stock and the rate of flow. The use of a flexible rubber strip is especially advantageous as a lip for a slice for the reason that, in addition to its inherent flexibility, it

face on which the fibres of the stock will not collect. A lip of this character has, therefore, none of the disadvantages of metallic slice or gate structures previously used.

My inventlon further contemplates the provision of one or more rotating mixers in the down passage between the baflie wall 14 and the slice 16. Inthis instance I have shown a lower mixer43 and an upper mixer 44, these being of such dimensions as to substantially traverse the length and width of this passageway and to thoroughly mix and agitate the stock in its flow therethrough. I prefer to employ for this purpose one or more mixers of the kind claimed in Patent No. 1,629,088 granted May 17, 1927. This mixer, described briefly, comprises a series of rotating parts or mixing plates designated by 45 (Fig. 4) supported in radial, ClI'OllIIlferentially spaced relation upon and between opposed heads 46 and a suitable number of intermediate spiders of somewhat similar shape. The heads are suitably mounted for rotation in bearings supported on the side walls of the flow box as described in said application and may be rotated by any suitable means and in elther direction, the mixer v43 being preferably rotated in a clockwise direction viewing Fig. 1. The mixer boards or plates present an exceptionally large surface which agitates the stock in its flow to .the discharge orifice. The stock in its contact withthe mixer surfaces and its passage through the perforations in the mixer boards or plates is thoroughly mixed so that it has a uniform consistency and any soft lumps in suspension are broken up. The mixer by reason of its construction is self-cleanin and offers little resistance to the flow. Additlonal mixers may also be used at different oints in the passages in the flow box sue for example, as the mixers 47 and 48 in the down and up flow passages respectively just preceding the intercepting wall 14.

In order to prevent the formation of eddies and cross currents in the stock as it flows to the wire, I have provided a series of rectifier plates 49 mounted on the apron 9 in the space intermediate the mixer 43 and the mouth leading to the discharge orifice 18. These are thin, flat fins or plates parallel with the direction of travel of the wire which, by reason of their location and position, gulde the fiow and prevent any such cross currents as are apt to cause thin and heavy streaks in the paper.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that by reason of the co-operative relation of the rotating mixer, the rectifier and the flexible and adjustable lip on the slice, I am enabled to regulate and control to a high degree of accuracy the condition and flow of the stock through the discharge orifice of the flow box. In other words, by reason of the functioning of these devices, as above described, I am enabled to determine the depth, mixture, and direction of flow of the stock. 'And, furthermore, by the use of these improvements in part or in whole in combination with the improved construction of the aced above and, while I have illustrated but a single working embodiment, it should be understood that many changes might be made in details of construction and arrangement of the parts and devices without departing from the spirit and scope, of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, in which I claim:

1. In a paper making machine, a flow box having a slice plate, a lip of flexible material for the lower end of the slice plate, and guide plates and coupling parts arranged in alternation along and mounted upon the slice plate and connected to the lip to hold it in position thereon and to vertically adjust it upon and with respect to the slice plate.

2. In a paper making machine, a flow box having a slice plate, a lip of flexible material on the lower end of the slice plate, means confining said lip against the plate, a series of coupling parts attached to the lip at longitudinally spaced oints thereon, and a series of adjusting r0 s mounted on the slice plate and having threaded connection with said coupling parts for vertically adjusting the lip upon and with respect to the slice late.

3. n a paper making machine, a flow box having a slice equipped with an adjustable rubber lip, a rectifier just in advance of the lip, and a rotating mixer just in advance of the rectifier.

4. In a aper making machine, in combination, a ow box having a discharge orifice defined by an apron, and a flexible, adjustable lip, a rotating mixer in close proximity to the entrance to said orifice, and a rectifier interposed between said mixer and orifice.

5. Ina paper making machine, in combination, a flow box provided with a slice having a flexible, adjustable lip, a rotating mixer in the flow box for mixing the stock just beforeiit flows under saidlip, and a rectifier intermediate said mixer and flexible lip, whereby to secure a determined depth, mixture, and direction of travel of the stock flowing from the box.

6. In a paper making machine, in combination, a wire, a flow box, a slice and an apron defining an orifice through which the stock flows to the wire, the slice having a flexible lip adjustable for regulating the' depth of said flow, a rotary mixer in the a series of rectifier plates positioned on the apron intermediate. lip.

8. In a paper making machine a flow box having an inlet end and a delivery end, a slice at the delivery end, and a series of bafiles interposed between the inlet and delivery ends, the baffle adjacent to the slice having a top portion vertically adjustable to vary the depth of the passage between the top edge of said baflie and the level of the stock in the flow box.

9. In a paper making machine, in combination, a flow box having an apron, a slice above the apron defining therewith an orifice through which the stock flows, a series of baflles in the flow box-one of which together with the slice defines a passage down through which the stock is adapted to flow to said orifice, and a rotating mixer in the bottom of said passage on an axis parallel with said orifice and occupying substantially the entire space between said baflle and slice.

10. In a paper making machine, in combination, a flow box having an apron, a slice above the apron defining therewith an orifice through which the stock flows, a series of battles in the flow box one of which together with the slice defines a passage down through which the stock is adapted to fiow to said orifice, a rotating mixer in the bottom of said passage on an axis parallel with said orifice and occupying substantially the entire space between said battle and slice, and a series of rectifier plates on the apron located between said mixer and said orifice, said mixer comprising a series of perforated plates radiating from its axis,

11. In a paper making machine, a flow box havin an entrance end and a deliver end, a discharge orifice at the delivery en and a bafile causing the stock to flow in a circuitous path through the flow box, the bafiie being located adjacent to but spaced from the delivery end and havinga vertically the mixer and flexible adjustable top for varying the depth of the flow through the upper strata to prevent a quiescent condition of the stock in the region above and adjacent to the delivery end.

12'. In a paper makin machine, a flow box having an entrance an a delivery end and a slice at the delivery end, and a baflie located between said ends for causing the stock having an entrance and a slice at the delivery end, a series of bafiles toflow in a circuitous path, the ballie termiwall extending in such proximity to the level of the stock as to cause the flow of stock to pass through the uppermost strata prior to its downward passage to the discharge orifice; j

13. In a paper makin machine, a flow box a delivery end and between said ends for causing the stock to flow in a circuitous path, the baflie adjacent to the delivery endterminating in an intercepting wall extending in such proximity to the level of the stock as to cause the flow of stock to pass through the uppermost strata just prior to its downward passage to the discharge orifice, and one or more rotating natin'g at its upper end in an intercepting mixers in the passage between the last mentioned bafile and the slice.

14. In a paper making machine, a vertically adjustable slice having a flat front face against which a lip is adapted to seat, a flexible lip on saidseat adapted to be adjusted in the plane thereof, a plurality of adjusting rods mounted on the slice in laterally spaced relation and connected to the lip for adjusting'it in said plane upon and with respect to the slice, and means for holding the lip at spaced points in its length against the said seat and allowing the lip to be adjusted thereon.

15. In a paper making machine, a vertically adjustable slice plate, a flexible lip located in front of the slice plate, screw rods for vertically adjusting the lip with respect to the slice plate and for flexing the lip at intermediate points, and a series of separate means on the front of the slice late for holding the lip against the said s ice plate and allowing vertical adjustment of the lip there- 16. In a paper making machine, a slice, a lip in front of the slice adapted to seat against a front face thereof and to be adjusted in the plane of said face. adjusting rods on the slice connected at their lower ends to the lip for vertically adjusting and flexing it, and means mounted on the front of the slice for holding the lip against the saidfront face and allowing vertical adjustment of the lip thereon,

17. In a paper making machine, a slice plate, a lip adapted to seat against a front.

ace of the slice plate and to be vertically adjusted thereon, a series of adjusting rods mounted on the slice plate at the front thereof, and an interfitting connection be-' In witness of the foregoing I afiix my sig- 

